Kiefer Ravena is hoping that his looming absence will not have any negative impact on the campaign of Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the early stretch of the 44th William Jones Cup in New Taipei City.
Ravena said they have enough talent and quality players who are capable of stepping up when they face Chinese Taipei-A in the opening match on Sunday.
The Japan B. League campaigner will be skipping SGA’s first two matches to attend to some personal commitments. He, however, will be back right away to help the club owned by distinguished businessman Frank Lao retain its title.
“I’m very confident. Unfortunately, I have to attend to some personal matters prior to this,” Ravena said.
“I already disclosed it with coach Charles Tiu. So, he was able to come up with a team that I have a strong feeling that they can come out on top.”
Chinese Taipei-A will not be an easy foe.
Bannered by Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga, Chien-Hao Ma, Chun Hsiang Lu, and naturalized player Brandon Gilbeck, the squad is composed of the Chinese Taipei national team that beat Gilas Pilipinas in the previous window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Last year, they pushed Strong Group to the limit before absorbing a 79-83 decision that gave the Filipino club the title of this prestigious invitational tournament.
But with Ravena out, the playmaking chores against the Taiwanese will be given to Jason Brickman and reinforcement Ian Miller.
Brickman and Miller will be backed by other quality players like naturalized Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso, Rhenz Abando, Filipino-American guard DJ Fenner, import Tajuan Agee, Geo Chiu, and Allen Liwag. Former Oklahoma City Thunder defensive lynchpin Andre Roberson will also be back for another tour of duty.
Ravena hopes that they will be able to win back-to-back titles, a feat no Filipino club has ever achieved despite Northern Consolidated Cement winning in 1981, San Miguel Beer in 1985, Philippine Centennial Team, Gilas Pilipinas in 2012, and Mighty Sports in 2016 and 2019.
“It’s always nice to be part of history. So, it’s nice to have a piece of that,” Ravena said.
“You’ll never know how long each and every one of us can come out here and represent SGA, represent the country for an international tournament so, we have to make the most out of it.”